Match Report - Coopers 2XV v Rathkeale College 2XV - 27th July 2015 

This fixture was an important one for the lads as we were looking to continue the momentum that we had built up  from our last game against Morrinsville with a convincing win. The game began positively with Coopers winger Tom Hill having some blinding runs right up against the touchline with defenders being left in his trail. After a few forward plays and sustained pressure on the Rathkeale try line, the Coopers back line eventually scored after good handling skills from Shepherd and Cosford passing the ball to Stares on the wing who's spin and gutsy lunge for the line was successful after touching the ball down with three considerably larger defenders surrounding him! Lucas-Roast converted to make it 7-0 to Coopers. The opposition responded with some of their own pressure thus evening up the game as the Rathkeale forwards had a brief series of offensive plays  inside the Coopers 22 and after playing many "pick and go" style attacks they managed to cross our line after breaking through a strong and continued Coopers defence. After this, Coopers were beginning to get back on top as the tries began to roll in with Tom Hill soon crossing through after an inside pass from Roast and then using great footwork and speed to evade four tackles before scoring directly under the posts. Within quick succession, Stares then crossed to double his try count for the match with some more quick hands and footwork eventually crossing over in the corner. Roast then converted again to make the score 21-7. The games intensity and aggression increased with a few scuffles taking place however resulting in some more intriguing play from Coopers culminating in the fourth try of the half with a quick tap and go before Beckett powered through and around  a couple of defenders and crossing the line to score. The half time score, 26-7. 

The second half began similarly to how the first closed with some more creative play from Coopers with skilful passes and handling leading to the younger of the Hill brothers, Joe, scoring near the corner flag. Meanwhile substitutions were being made as Perman, Doman, Pinkney, Dalton, Kelly, Morley, and Stannard (making his return from injury) all came on throughout the second half. Following on from Joe Hill's try , Jordan Knight powered through and around  the Rathkeale defence eventually scoring after selling a dummy pass. Roast converted to make the score 38-7. Continuing, Henry Beckett showed us his pace once again with a weaving run in and out of The Rathkeale line leading to another try from the centre. Although Coopers were dominating the game and the scoreboard, Rathkeale managed to shift some sudden pressure into points with another try scored through the forwards  bundling a maul over the line. Despite this setback, Coopers had the final say with an exceptional solo run from Morley down the left wing accelerating past two defenders and managing to avoid the desperate tackles of Rathkeale defence scoring a brilliant try to end the game with a great reflection of how Coopers played. Roast converted to make the final score 52-12. Once again a very convincing win for the Coopers 2XV hopefully continuing this attitude and momentum   into their next fixture against Garin College  on 29th July

Written by Tom L-R and Fergus M-O